RESUMO
<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To study the biological characteristics of rabbit corporal smooth muscle cells (SMC) cultured in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In vitro tissue culture technique, morphological observation, cell counting, mitosis index and adhesion rate evaluation were applied to study the biological features of the SMC.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>1. SMC were spindle-shaped and parallel along their longitudinal axis, showing obvious orientation. 2. The attachment and the proliferation of SMC in vitro were rapid. SMC cultured in vitro can grow and maintain their steady characteristics provided appropriate passage rate and culture condition.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The SMC cultured in vitro are proved to be used to evaluate and investigate the effect of some medicine on penile erection.</p>